I once had this octopus sashimi that was still alive, and the suckers applied a gentle suction on your tongue that was rather disconcerting. It was a delicacy, and I probably wouldn’t have had it unless a client was the one ordering dinner. But that was a long time ago. And I haven’t had it since. So on a recent visit to Banri, my go-to Japanese restaurant in Cebu, when the server suggested I have some of their octopus special, I hesitated until I spied the plate at the next table that indicated it had been poached first. We ordered a plate of tuna sashimi and one “tako” or octopus. The octopus was SUPERB, a wonderful, slightly chewy texture, and the briney flavor of the sea, with a hint of sweetness at the same time. Really good stuff. So good, we immediately ordered another portion.

I am not sure if this technically qualifies as sashimi, as it isn’t raw anymore, but it was good, whatever you called it. Pricey at PHP280 or so for just a few pieces (the equivalent of half a kilo of lechon!), but worth it. I suppose several Japanese restaurants have this on offer, and you can see the entire tentacle in their chilled display cases, but somehow they don’t usually look as fresh as this batch seemed to be. I wonder if there is some secret to making this (or is it a specific species of octopi?) or if I can just poach some fresh octopus myself… :)

Eating little live octopus is a delicacy in Korea. It was one of the challenges in the Amazing Race when they swung by that country. Note though that people have been known to die eating live octopus because you can choke to death when the octopus’ suckers get attached to your esophagus.

Talk about octopus, MM…there was a show…David Suzuki’s I think doing experiments in ocean floor to prove that octopus is one smart cookie! The diver placed a square box with a hole that is just the size of the creature’s brain?…attached to the hole are tubes done like in a maze and the end of the maze is FREEDOM! I watched in awe as to how the octopus just kept still for few minutes and then found his way out of the smallbox.

Next, the diver adjusted the hole ..this time smaller than size of creature’s brain. The octopus just stood there…didn’t even try! Probably thought and wanted to tell the diver…”ano ka, hilo?” I was watching in total amazement!

ayla, how about a whole live goldfish in exchange for a free beer… a Boston bar thing while I was in college there… :) Or the worms that are in mangrove wood in Palawan… :)

Nov 18, 2011 | 6:27 pm

Mart
says:

I saw that episode of Bizarre Foods by Andrew Zimmern where he went to the Philippines to check out the worms in the mangrove wood. I suppose that was Palawan. In the end he didn’t even try eating one. Some host for a foodie show called Bizarre Foods. I bet Mr. Bourdain would have eaten it. Washed it down with a lot of booze but still would have tried it.

Nov 19, 2011 | 12:21 am

roy888rn
says:

Is that the same worms that guy from travel channel Andrew Zimmern, was eating in Palawan.whats the name of it?

wondering wheter if one is even capable to eat real raw octo ?! thought it must be cooked so u can even chew it – and i haven´t been to a japanese restaurant where they served it really raw… (unfortunately – as it seems it does work ;-)